Optical disk, reproduction apparatus, reproduction method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An optical disk includes an audio data storage area for storing audio data; a still picture data storage area for storing a plurality of pieces of still picture data; and a management area for storing reproduction control information for controlling reproduction of the audio data and the plurality of pieces of still picture data. The reproduction control information has flag information representing specified still picture data among the plurality of pieces of still picture data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an optical disk having audiodata and still picture data recorded thereon, a reproduction apparatusand a reproduction method for reproducing information recorded on theoptical disk, and a recording medium having a program stored thereon forcausing the reproduction apparatus to carrying out a method forreproducing information recorded on the optical disk.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] One application for a DVD-Audio is a “slide show” application forreproducing a plurality of still pictures in a prescribed ordersynchronously with (or a synchronously with) reproduction of audioinformation. A typical “slide show” application is a music applicationfor sequentially displaying still pictures related to the lyrics of asong synchronously with reproduction of the song.

[0005] In a conventional music application, a plurality of stillpictures to be displayed for a specific song and the order of displayingthe plurality of still pictures are predetermined.

[0006] Title producers have demanded a system in which a plurality ofstill picture groups are prepared for a specific song and one of thestill picture groups is selectively displayed. Herein, the term “stillpicture group” refers to a group of a plurality of still pictures.

[0007] In order to select one of the plurality of still picture groupsin accordance with an input from a user, a menu needs to be displayed.Preferably, such a menu can be retrieved at an arbitrary time byoperating a button on a device such as a remote control or the like.

[0008] However, the contents of the menu are different from one song toanother. Providing a menu retrieval button for each song requires manymenu retrieval buttons, which makes operation by a remote control orother devices difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, an optical disk includesan audio data storage area for storing audio data; a still picture datastorage area for storing a plurality of pieces of still picture data;and a management area for storing reproduction control information forcontrolling reproduction of the audio data and the plurality of piecesof still picture data. The reproduction control information has flaginformation representing specified still picture data among theplurality of pieces of still picture data.

[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag informationrepresents that the specified still picture data is not included in theplurality of pieces of still picture data.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, a reproductionapparatus for reproducing information stored on the above-describedoptical disk is provided. The reproduction apparatus includes a readingsection for reading the audio data and the plurality of pieces of stillpicture data from the optical disk: and a reproduction control sectionfor controlling reproduction of the audio data and the plurality ofpieces of still picture data in accordance with the reproduction controlinformation. The reproduction control section specifies the specifiedstill picture data among the plurality of pieces of still picture datain accordance with the flag information.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag informationrepresents that the specified still picture data is not included in theplurality of pieces of still picture data.

[0013] According to still another aspect of the invention, areproduction method for reproducing information stored on theabove-described optical disk is provided. The method includes the stepsof reading the audio data and the plurality of pieces of still picturedata from the optical disk; and controlling reproduction of the audiodata and the plurality of pieces of still picture data in accordancewith the reproduction control information. The step of controllingincludes the step of specifying the specified still picture data amongthe plurality of pieces of still picture data in accordance with theflag information.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag informationrepresents that the specified still picture data is not included in theplurality of pieces of still picture data.

[0015] According to still another aspect of the invention, a recordingmedium having recorded thereon a program for causing a reproductionapparatus to carry out a reproduction method for reproducing informationstored on the above-described optical disk is provided. The reproductionmethod includes the steps of reading the audio data and the plurality ofpieces of still picture data from the optical disk; and controllingreproduction of the audio data and the plurality of pieces of stillpicture data in accordance with the reproduction control information.The step of controlling includes the step of specifying the specifiedstill picture data among the plurality of pieces of still picture datain accordance with the flag information.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the flag informationrepresents that the specified still picture data is not included in theplurality of pieces of still picture data.

[0017] Thus, the invention described herein makes possible theadvantages of providing an optical disk, a reproduction apparatus, areproduction method, and a recording medium for allowing specific stillpicture data (for example, a menu) which is different among a pluralityof audio programs (for example, a plurality of songs) included in anaudio title set to be retrieved by operating a common button.

[0018] These and other advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding thefollowing detailed description with reference to the accompanyingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1A is an external view of an optical disk 100 in an exampleaccording to the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 1B is a view illustrating a cross-section of the optical disk100;

[0021]FIG. 1C is a view illustrating an enlarged cross-section of theoptical disk 100:

[0022]FIG. 1D is a view illustrating pits formed in the optical disk100;

[0023]FIG. 2A is a view illustrating a track of the optical disk 100:

[0024]FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a sector structure of opticaldisk 100;

[0025]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a logical structure of theoptical disk 100;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a video titleset 400;

[0027]FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiostill video set 500;

[0028]FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiostill video unit 513;

[0029]FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the audiostill video unit 513;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a highlightpack 531;

[0031]FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiostill video set management information 501;

[0032]FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiotitle set 900;

[0033]FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the audiotitle set 900;

[0034]FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of PGCinformation 943;

[0035]FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiostill video display list 1071;

[0036]FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the audiostill video display list 1071;

[0037]FIG. 11C is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the audiostill video display list 1071;

[0038]FIG. 11D is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the audiostill video display list 1071;

[0039]FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of an audiomanager 1200;

[0040]FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the correspondencebetween ASKS and ASS stored in the optical disk 100;

[0041]FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the correspondenceamong audio programs, AOBs, cells, ASS and ASVOBs stored in the opticaldisk 100:

[0042]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing exemplary contents of programinformation 1026 and an audio still video reproduction informationsearch pointer 1028;

[0043]FIG. 16A is a diagram showing exemplary contents of audio stillvideo reproduction information (ATS_ASV_PHI#1) 1029:

[0044]FIG. 16B is a diagram showing exemplary contents of audio stillvideo reproduction information (ATS_ASV_PHI#2) 1029;

[0045]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing exemplary contents of cellreproduction information 1027;

[0046]FIG. 18 is a diagram showing exemplary contents ofATS_PG_ASV_PHI#1 through #5;

[0047]FIG. 19 is a diagram showing exemplary contents of audio stillvideo unit general information (ASVU_GI);

[0048]FIG. 20A is a diagram schematically illustrating thecorrespondence between the reproduction timing of the audio program andthe display timing of the still picture;

[0049]FIG. 20B is a diagram schematically illustrating thecorrespondence between the reproduction timing of the audio program andthe display timing of the still picture;

[0050]FIG. 21 is an external view of a DVD player 1, and a TV monitor 2and a remote control 91 which are connected to the DVD player 1:

[0051]FIG. 22 is a view illustrating an exemplary operation panel 91 aof the remote control 91;

[0052]FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the DVDplayer 1 in an example according to the present invention;

[0053]FIG. 24 is a view illustrating an exemplary video menu:

[0054]FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a reproductionapparatus when the “menu” button 194 of the remote control 91 ispressed:

[0055]FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating specified video streamreproduction processing;

[0056]FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating AMG menu reproductionprocessing; and

[0057]FIG. 28 is a view illustrating an image of a title which can becreated by the specified video stream reproduction processing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0058] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described by way ofillustrative examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] First, a structure of the optical disk will be described.

[0060] (1) Physical Structure of an Optical Disk

[0061]FIG. 1A is an external view of an optical disk 100 in an exampleaccording to the present invention. The optical disk 100 is, forexample, a DVD which is a multi-media optical disk. FIG. 1B is a viewshowing a cross-section of the optical disk 100 taken long line X-X′ inFIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of section Y shown in FIG. 1B.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1B, the optical disk 100 is formed by laminatinga first transparent substrate 108, an information layer 109, an adhesivelayer 110, a second transparent layer 111, and a printing layer 112 forprinting a label, in this order.

[0063] The first transparent substrate 108 and the second transparentsubstrate 111 are reinforcing substrates formed of an identicalmaterial. In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the first transparentsubstrate 108 and the second transparent substrate 111 each have athickness of about 0.6 mm. The first transparent substrate 108 and thesecond transparent substrate 111 can have a thickness in the range ofabout 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm.

[0064] The adhesive layer 110 is provided between the information layer109 and the second transparent substrate 111 in order to adhere theinformation layer 109 and the second transparent substrate 111.

[0065] Among the two main surfaces of the information layer 109, themain surface in contact with the first transparent substrate 108 has areflective film (not shown) provided thereon. The reflective film isformed of a thin metal film or the like. The reflective film has concaveand convex pits which are formed at a high density by a moldingtechnology.

[0066]FIG. 1D shows a shape of the pits formed in the reflective film.In the example shown in FIG. 1D, each pit has a length of about 0.4 μmto about 2.13 μm. The optical disk 100 has one spiral track formedtherein. Each pit is formed along the spiral track so that two pitsadjacent in the radial direction of the optical disk 100 are about 0.74μm apart from each other. Thus, a plurality of pits are formed in thespiral track.

[0067] When the optical disk 100 is irradiated by an optical beam 113,an optical spot 114 is formed on the information layer 109 as shown inFIG. 1C. Information stored on the optical disk 100 is detected as achange in the reflectance of a portion of the information layer 109irradiated with the optical spot 114.

[0068] The diameter of the optical spot 114 on the optical disk 100 isabout 1/1.6 of the diameter of an optical spot on a CD (compact disk).The reason is that the numeral aperture (NA) of an objective lens forthe optical disk 100 is larger than the numerical aperture NA of anobjective lens for the CD, and the wavelength λ of the optical beam forthe optical disk 100 is shorter than the wavelength λ for the CD.

[0069] The optical disk 100 having such a physical structure can haveabout 4.7 Gbyte of information stored on one side thereof. The capacityof about 4.7 Gbytes is close to 8 times the recording capacity of theconventional CD. Such a large recording capacity of the optical disk 100can significantly improve the quality of moving pictures, and also cansignificantly extend the reproduction time period of moving pictures.Whereas the reproduction time period of the conventional video CD is 74minutes, the reproduction time period of the DVD is 2 hours or more.

[0070] The fundamental technology which realized such a large recordingcapacity is the reduction in the spot diameter D of the optical beam.The spot diameter D is given by the expression: spot diameterD=wavelength λ of the laser beam/numerical aperture NA of the objectivelens. Accordingly, the spot diameter D can be reduced by shortening thewavelength λ of the laser beam and increasing the numerical aperture NAof the objective lens. It should be noted that when the numericalaperture NA of the objective lens is increased, frame aberration occursdue to the relative inclination (i.e., tilt) of the surface of theoptical disk 100 with respect to the axis of the optical beam. For theoptical disk 100, the frame aberration is reduced by reducing thethickness of the first and/or second transparent substrates 108 and 111.When the thickness of the first and/or second transparent substrates 108and 111 is reduced, there can be another problem that the mechanicalstrength of the optical disk 100 is lowered. The strength of the opticaldisk 100 is reinforced by providing another substrate to the firstand/or second transparent substrates 108 and 111, thus solving theproblem of the mechanical strength.

[0071] In order to read information recorded on the optical disk 100,red semiconductor laser light having a wavelength as short as 650 nm andan objective lens having a numerical aperture (NA) as large as about 0.6mm are used. By further using a transparent substrate as thin as about0.6 mm as each of the first and second transparent substrates 108 and111, information of about 4.7 Gbytes is allowed to be recorded on oneside of the optical disk 100 having a diameter of 120 mm.

[0072]FIG. 2A schematically shows a spiral track 20 is formed in theinformation layer 109 of the optical disk 100 from an inner portiontoward an outer periphery. The spiral track 20 is divided intoprescribed units referred to as sectors. In FIG. 2A, the sectors arerepresented by S1, S2, . . . S99 and S100. Information recorded on theoptical disk 100 is read on a sector-by-sector basis.

[0073]FIG. 2B shows an internal structure of the sector. The sectorincludes a sector header area 21, a user data area 22, and an errorcorrection code storage area 23.

[0074] The sector header area 21 has a sector address for identifyingthe sector and an error detection code for the sector address storedtherein. Based on the sector address, a disk reproduction apparatusdetermines from which sector among the plurality of sectors informationshould be read.

[0075] The user data area 22 can have 2 kbytes information storedtherein.

[0076] In the error correction code storage area 23, an error correctioncode for the sector header area 21 and the user data area 22 included inthe sector which includes the error correction code storage area 23 arestored. For reading data from the user data area 22, the diskreproduction apparatus performs error detection using the errorcorrection code and performs error correction in accordance with theresults of the error detection. Thus, data reading reliability isguaranteed.

[0077] (2) Logical Structure of the Optical Disk

[0078]FIG. 3 shows a logical structure of the optical disk 100. As shownin FIG. 3, the optical disk 100 includes a lead-in area 31, a volumearea 32, and a lead-out area 33. These areas are located from an innerportion toward an outer periphery of the optical disk 100 in the orderof the lead-in area 31, the volume area 32, and the lead-out area 33.These areas can be identified by identification information included inthe sector addresses of physical sectors. The physical sectors arelocated in an increasing order of the sector addresses thereof.

[0079] The lead-in area 31 has data for stabilizing an operation of thedisk reproduction apparatus at the start of reading, and the like,stored therein.

[0080] The lead-out area 33 does not have any meaningful data storedtherein. The lead-out area 33 is used for notifying the diskreproduction apparatus of the termination of reproduction.

[0081] The volume area 32 has digital data corresponding to theapplication stored therein. The physical sectors included in the volumearea 32 are managed as logical blocks. The logical blocks arerespectively supplied with and identified with logical block numbers.The first physical sector in the volume area 32 is supplied with logicalblock number 0, and the physical sectors following the first physicalsector are supplied with sequential logical block numbers after 0.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 3, the volume area 32 includes a volume filemanagement area 32 a, an audio zone area 32 b, and a video zone area 32c. The volume file management area 32 a and the audio zone area 32 b areindispensable, but the video zone area 32 c is optional. In other words,the video zone area 32 c does not need to be existent.

[0083] In the volume file management area 32 a, file system managementinformation for managing a plurality of logical blocks as a file inaccordance with ISO 13346 is stored.

[0084] The file system management information is informationrepresenting the correspondence between file names of a plurality offiles and addresses of a plurality of logical blocks occupied by eachfile. The disk reproduction apparatus realizes access to the opticaldisk 100 on a file-by-file basis based on the file system managementinformation. Specifically, the disk reproduction apparatus refers to thefile system management information to obtain addresses of the logicalblocks corresponding to a given file name, and accesses the logicalblocks based on the obtained addresses. Thus, digital data of a desiredfile can be read.

[0085] The audio zone area 32 b includes an audio manager (AMG: AudioManager) 1200 and at least one audio title set (ATS: Audio Title Set)900 stored therein. The audio zone area 32 b can have an audio stillvideo set (ASV: Audio Still Video Set) 500.

[0086] The audio title set 900 includes a plurality of pieces of audiodata and management information for managing the reproduction order ofthe plurality of pieces of audio data. The audio title set 900 has adata structure for allowing audio data to be managed based on the unitreferred to as an audio title. Typically, an audio title corresponds toa music album including one or more tunes.

[0087] The video zone area 32 c includes a video manager (VMG: VideoManager) 410 and at least one video title set (VTS: Video Title Set) 400stored therein.

[0088] The video title set 400 includes a plurality of pieces of videodata and management information for managing the reproduction order ofthe plurality of pieces of video data. The video title set 400 has adata structure for allowing video data to be managed based on the unitreferred to as a video title. Typically, a video title corresponds to avideo clip album including one or more video clips.

[0089] (3) Video Zone Area 32 c

[0090] The video zone area 32 c includes the video manager 410 and atleast one video title set 400.

[0091] (3.1) Video Title Set 400

[0092]FIG. 4 shows a data structure of the video title set 400. Thevideo title set 400 includes a plurality of video objects for videotitle-set menu (VTSM_VOB: Video Object for Video Title Set Menu) 402, aplurality of video objects for video title set title (VTSTT_VOB: VideoObject for Video Title Set Title) 403, video title set managementinformation (VTSI) 401 for managing the information such as reproductioncontrol information of a plurality of video objects, and video title setmanagement information backup (VTSI_BUP) 404.

[0093] (3.1.1) Video Object for Video Title Set Title 403

[0094] The video object for video title set title 403 is packetized inunits of 2 kbytes. The video object for video title set title 403includes video data compressed by the MPEG1 format or the MPEG2 format.The video object for video title set title 403 can include a pluralityof pieces of audio data in addition to the video data. In this case, theaudio data can be encoded by the LPCM, ACE, MPEG-AUDIO or DTS format.

[0095] The video object for video title set title 403 includes a mainvideo. stream. The video object for video title set title 403 caninclude a plurality of sub video streams in addition to the main videostream. In this case, the sub video stream is obtained by connecting aplurality of pieces of run-length-compressed still picture data andcontrol information into one piece of data. The sub video stream is usedfor displaying subtitles or for displaying a button on the video.

[0096] (3.1.2) Video Object for Video Title Set Menu 402

[0097] The video object for video title set menu 402 will not bedescribed since it is irrelevant to the gist of the present invention.Hereinafter, the video object for video title set title 403 and thevideo object for video title set menu 402 may be referred to as “VOB”.

[0098] (3.1.3) Video Title Set Management Information 401

[0099] The video title set management information 401 includesinformation (not shown) for managing the reproduction order of the videoobjects for video title set menu 402 and the video objects for videotitle set title 403, and reproduction control information (not shown).

[0100] The reproduction control information includes attributeinformation regarding each of video, audio and sub video. The attributeinformation regarding video includes, for example, informationrepresenting encoding format, aspect ratio, resolution and frame rate.The attribute information regarding audio includes, for example,information representing encoding format, quantization number,quantization frequency, and number of channels. The reproduction controlinformation can include the number of audio streams and the number ofsub video streams.

[0101] The video title set management information 401 can includevarious information other than the above-mentioned information. Suchinformation will not be described herein since it is irrelevant to thegist of the present invention.

[0102] (3.2) Video Manager

[0103] The video manager will not be described herein since it isirrelevant to the gist of the present invention.

[0104] The items which are not described in sections (3.1) and (3.2) aredescribed in detail in “DVD-Specification for Read-Only Disc Part 3Video Specifications”. If necessary, refer to this document.

[0105] (4) Audio Zone Area 32 b

[0106] The audio zone area 32 b includes the audio manager 1200 and atleast one audio title set 900. The audio zone area 32 b can include theaudio still video set 500.

[0107] (4.1) Audio Still Video Set 500

[0108]FIG. 5 shows a data structure of the audio still video set 500.The audio still video set 500 includes audio still video set managementinformation (ASVSI) 501, an audio still video object set (ASVOBS) 502,and audio still video set management information backup (ASVSI_BUP) 503.

[0109] The audio still video object set (ASVOBS) 502 includes aplurality of audio still video units (ASVU: Audio Still Video Unit) 513.

[0110] (4.1.1) Audio Still Video Unit 513

[0111]FIGS. 6A and 6B show a data structure of one audio still videounit 513. One audio still video unit 513 can include up to 99 audiostill video objects (ASVOB: Audio Still Video Object) 521. It should benoted that the size of one audio still video unit 513 is limited to 2Mbytes at the maximum.

[0112] The audio still video object 521 includes a highlight back(HLI_PCK) 531 and at least one still picture pack (SPCT_PCK) 533. Theaudio still video object 521 can also include at least one sub videopack (SP_PCK) 532. The audio still video object 521 does not need toinclude any sub video pack 532.

[0113]FIG. 6A shows an exemplary data structure of the audio still videoobject 521 (ASVOB#1) not including any sub video pack; and FIG. 6B showsan exemplary data structure of the audio still video object 521(ASVOB#1) including a sub video pack 532.

[0114] In the sub video pack 532, up to 3 sub video streams can bedescribed. The sub video pack 532 has a code for identifying a sub videostream similarly to the case of the DVD-Video Standard.

[0115] In the still picture pack 533, only still picture data isrecorded. Unlike the DVD-Video Standard, no moving picture is recordedin the still picture pack 533. One audio still video object 521 caninclude a plurality of still picture packs 533. In this case, theplurality of still picture packs 533 correspond to data for one stillpicture. Unlike the DVD-Video Standard, audio data cannot be recorded inthe audio still video object 521.

[0116]FIG. 7 shows a data structure of the highlight pack 531.

[0117] The highlight pack 531 includes audio still video highlightinformation (ASV_HLI: Audio Still Video Highlight Information) 711.

[0118] The audio still video highlight information 711 has the followinginformation regarding the corresponding audio still video object 521recorded therein: whether or not there is button display, display starttime, display end time, button display end time, button display method,button color information, button display position information,transition information during button operation, information on executionprocessing while the button is pressed, and the like.

[0119] (4.1.2) Audio Still Video Set Management Information 501

[0120] The audio still video set management information 501 includesreproduction control information and management information on the audiostill video unit 513.

[0121]FIG. 8 shows a data structure of the audio still video setmanagement information 501. The audio still video set managementinformation 501 includes audio still video unit management information(ASVUI: Audio Still Video Unit Information) 811 and an audio still videoaddress map (ASV_ADMAP: Audio Still Video Address Map) 812.

[0122] The audio still video unit management information 811 includesthe number of audio still video units 513 included in the audio stillvideo set 500, display attribute of still pictures and the button,button display color information, and audio still video unit generalinformation.

[0123] The audio still video unit general information includes thenumber of audio still video objects 521 included in the audio stillvideo unit 513 and the start address of the audio still video unit 513.

[0124] The audio still video address map 812 includes addressinformation on the audio still video objects 521 included in the audiostill video unit 513.

[0125] (4.2) Audio Title Set 900

[0126] The audio title set 900 has one of two data structuresselectively. That is, the audio title set 900 has one of two differentdata structures in accordance with whether the audio title set 900includes an audio object (AOB: Audio Object) or not. Hereinafter, theaudio object may be referred to as “AOB”.

[0127]FIG. 9A shows a data structure of the audio title set 900 whenincluding audio objects.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 9A, the audio title set 900 includes a pluralityof audio objects 923, audio title set management information (ATSI) 911for managing reproduction order information and the reproduction controlinformation of the plurality of audio objects 923, and audio title setmanagement information backup (ATSI_BUP) 913.

[0129]FIG. 9B shows a data structure of the audio title set 900 when notincluding any audio object.

[0130] As shown in FIG. 9B, the audio title set 900 does not include anyaudio object 923. In this case, the video object for video title settitle 403 is reproduced instead of the audio object 923. Suchreproduction is performed by causing the audio title set 900 to refer tothe video objects for video title set title 403 included in the videotitle set 400.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 9B, the audio title set 900 includes audio titleset management information 911 for managing reproduction orderinformation and reproduction control information of the plurality ofvideo objects for video title set title 403, and the audio title setmanagement information backup 913.

[0132] (4.2.1) Audio Object 923

[0133] Each audio object 923 is packetized in units of 2 kbytes. Theaudio object 923 includes audio data encoded by the LPCM format,packetized PCM format (which is a loss-less compression format), AC3format, DTS format, or the like. The audio object 923 can includereal-time text data in addition to the audio data. The real-time textdata is considered to be used for displaying lyrics or the like.

[0134] (4.2.2) Audio Title Set Management Information 911 (When theAudio Title Set 900 Includes an Audio Object 923)

[0135] The audio title set management information 911 includesreproduction order management information and reproduction controlinformation on the plurality of audio objects 923. The reproductionorder of the plurality of audio objects 923 is designated by a programchain (PGC) similarly to the case of the DVD-Video Standard.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 9A, the audio title set management information911 includes an audio title set management table (ATSI_MAT) 921 and aPGC management information table (ATS_PGCIT) 922.

[0137] The audio title set management table 921 is header information ofthe audio title set management information 911. The audio title setmanagement table 921 includes an audio object storage position 931, aPGC management information table storage position 932, audio objectattribute information 933, an audio data down mix coefficient 934 andthe like.

[0138] The PGC management information table 922 includes audio title setPGC management information table information (ATS_PGCITI) 941, and aplurality of audio title set PGC information search pointers(ATS_PGCI_SRP) 942, and a plurality of pieces of audio title set PGCinformation (ATS_PGCI) 943. Hereinafter, the audio title set PGCinformation 943 may be referred to as “PGC information 943”.

[0139] The audio title set PGC management information table information941 is header information of the PGC management information table 922.In the audio title set PGC management information table information 941,the number of the audio title set PGC information search pointers 942stored in the PGC management information table 922 and the like arestored.

[0140] Each audio title set PGC information search pointer 942 is indexinformation of a plurality of program chains stored in the PGCmanagement information table 922. The audio title set PGC informationsearch pointer 942 is used for designating PGC information which isfirst executed for each title.

[0141] In each piece of the PGC information 943, the recording positionof at least one audio object 923 on the optical disk 100 and thereproduction order thereof are described. Reproduction of identicalaudio objects 923 can be described in different pieces of PGCinformation 943.

[0142]FIG. 10 shows a data structure of one piece of PGC information943. The PGC information 943 includes audio title set PGC generalinformation (ATS_PGC_GI) 1011, an audio title set program informationtable (ATS_PG_IT) 1012, an audio title set cell reproduction informationtable (ATS_C_PBIT) 1013, and an audio title set audio still videoreproduction information table (ATS_ASV_PBIT) 1014.

[0143] The audio title set PGC general information 1011 includes anaudio title set program number 1031 (which shows the number of programsincluded in one audio title), an audio title set cell number 1032 (whichshows the number of cells included in one audio title), PGC reproductiontime period 1022, address information 1023 on the audio title setprogram information table 1012, address information 1024 on the audiotitle set cell reproduction information table 1013, and addressinformation 1025 on the audio title set audio still video reproductioninformation table 1014.

[0144] Hereinafter, the “program” refers to an audio program included inan audio title. For example, when the audio title corresponds to a musicalbum, a “program” corresponds to a tune included in the music album.

[0145] In the audio title set program information table 1012, aplurality of pieces of audio title set program information (ATS_PGI)1026 are described. The audio title set program information (ATS_PGI)1026 represents information on programs included in one audio title.

[0146] In each of the plurality of pieces of audio title set programinformation 1026, the following information is described: audio programphysical allocation information 1041 (which shows whether or not an AOBcorresponding to the present audio program and an AOB corresponding tothe immediately previous audio program are recorded at physicallycontinuous positions on the optical disk 100), audio program timeattribute information 1042 (which shows whether or not the timeinformation on the AOB corresponding to the present audio program andthe time information on the AOB corresponding to the immediatelyprevious audio program are continuous to each other), an audio programstart cell number 1043 (which shows the first cell number included inthe audio program), reproduction start audio cell time 1044 (which showsreproduction start time of the first audio cell included in the audioprogram), audio program total reproduction time period 1045 (which showsthe total reproduction time period of the audio program), audio pausetime period 1046 (which shows the silent time period before thereproduction of the first audio cell included in the audio program isstarted), and the like.

[0147] In the audio title set cell reproduction information table 1013,a plurality of pieces of audio title set cell reproduction information(ATS_C_PGI) 1027 are described. Each piece of audio title set cellreproduction information 1027 represents information on the cellcorresponding to the AOB to be reproduced.

[0148] In each piece of the plurality of pieces of audio title set cellreproduction information 1027, the following information is described: acell index number 1051 showing the order of the cells included in theaudio program, a cell type 1052 showing the type of the cell, a cellstart address 1053 showing the start address of the cell, a cell endaddress 1054 showing the end address of the cell, and the like.

[0149] The cell type 1052 shows, for example, whether the cell is asilent cell or an audio cell. The cell start address 1053 and the cellend address 1054 are described with, for example, the relative addresswith respect to the first pack of the first AOB included in the audiotitle set 900.

[0150] The audio title set audio still video reproduction informationtable 1014 includes a plurality of audio title set audio still videoreproduction information search pointers (ATS_PG_ASV_PBI_SRP) 1028 and aplurality of pieces of audio title set audio still video reproductioninformation (ATS_ASV_PBI) 1029.

[0151] Each audio title set audio still video reproduction informationsearch pointer 1028 corresponds to each program included in one audiotitle set. Accordingly, the number of the audio title set audio stillvideo reproduction information search pointers 1028 is equal to thenumber of pieces of the audio title set program information 1026.

[0152] In each audio title set audio still video reproductioninformation search pointer 1028, the following information is described:an audio still video unit number (ASVUN) 1061 (which shows the audiostill video unit 513 used for program reproduction), an audio stillvideo reproduction mode (ASV_DMOD) 1062, and a start address 1063 and anend address 1064 of the audio still video reproduction information(ATS_ASV_PBI) 1029 used for program reproduction.

[0153] As the audio still video unit number 1061, the number inconformity to the recording order of the audio still video units 513stored in the audio still video set 500 is described. By this number,the audio still video unit 513 used for program (PG) reproduction isspecified.

[0154] The audio still video reproduction mode 1062 includes a displaytiming mode and a display order mode. As the display timing mode, “slideshow mode” or “browsable mode” can be designated; and as the displayorder mode, “sequential mode”, “random mode” or “shuffle mode” can bedesignated.

[0155] Each piece of audio title set audio still video reproductioninformation 1029 includes a plurality of audio still video display lists(ASV_DLIST) 1071. As the data structure of the audio still video displaylist 1071, four different data structures usable in accordance with theaudio still video reproduction mode 1062 are defined. Two datastructures are defined for the display timing mode, one for the “slideshow mode” and one of the “browsable mode”. Two data structures aredefined for the display order mode, one for the “sequential mode” andone for “random mode” or “shuffle mode”. Thus, four (2×2) datastructures are defined. Hereinafter, the four data structures will bedescribed one by one.

[0156]FIG. 11A shows a data structure of the audio still video displaylist 1071 when the display timing mode is the “slide show mode” and thedisplay order mode is the “sequential mode”.

[0157] In the audio still video display list 1071, the followinginformation is described: an ASV number (ASV Number) 1101, a specifiedvideo stream existence flag (Entry DLIST Flag) 1102, a forcedly selectedbutton number (FOSL_BTNN: Forcedly Selected Button Number) 1103, aprogram number (Program Number) 1104, display timing information(Display Timing) 1105, a start effect mode (Start effect mode) 1106, anend effect mode (End effect mode) 1107, a start effect period (Starteffect period) 1108, and an end effect period (End effect period) 1109.

[0158] The ASV number 1101 is information for designating the audiostill video object 521 to be displayed among at least one audio stillvideo object 521 included in the audio still video unit 513.

[0159] The specified video stream existence flag 1102 has value “1” or“0”. The value “1” of the specified video stream existence flag 1102indicates that the audio still video reproduced in accordance with theaudio still video reproduction information 1029 including the specifiedvideo stream existence flag 1102 is the specified video stream to beused for the menu. The value “1” of the specified video stream existenceflag 1102 indicates that the audio still video reproduced in accordancewith the audio still video reproduction information 1029 including thespecified video stream existence flag 1102 is a video stream other thanthe specified video stream to be used for the menu.

[0160] Within one program (PG), only two states are permitted: in onestate, one of a plurality of specified video stream existence flags 1102has the value “1” and the other flags have the value “0”; in the otherstate, all the plurality of specified video stream existence flags 1102have the value “0”. Existence of a specified video stream existence flag1102 having the value “1” in the program (PG) indicates that a specifiedvideo stream to be used for the menu exists in the program.Non-existence of a specified video stream existence flag 1102 having thevalue “1” in the program (PG) (i.e., all the specified video streamexistence flags 1102 in the program (PG) have the value “0”) indicatesthat there is no specified video stream to be used for the menu in theprogram.

[0161] The forcedly selective button number 1103 indicates the buttonnumber selected as default when the still picture designated by the ASVnumber 1101 is displayed.

[0162] The program number 1104 and the display timing information 1105are information for designating the timing to start the display of thestill picture designated by the ASV number 1101. In other words, whenthe reproduction of the program designated by the program number 1104reaches a display time designated by the display timing information1105, the display of the still picture and the button is started inaccordance with the display list 1071. The start effect mode 1106 andthe end effect mode 1107 are information for designating display effectsprovided when a still picture is switched to another still picture. Forexample, display effects such as “fade”, “cut”, “dissolve” and “wipe”can be designated by the start effect mode 1106 and the end effect mode1107.

[0163] The start effect period 1108 and the end effect period 1109 areinformation indicating the time period in which the display effectdesignated by the start effect mode 1106 and the end effect mode 1107 ismaintained.

[0164]FIG. 11B shows a data structure of the audio still video displaylist 1071 when the display timing mode is the “slide show mode” and thedisplay order mode is the “random mode” or the “shuffle mode”.

[0165] The data structure shown in FIG. 11B is identical with the datastructure shown in FIG. 11A except that the ASV number 1101 in FIG. 11Ais replaced with a reserved (Reserved) area in FIG. 11B.

[0166] In the display list 1071 in FIG. 11B, the ASV number 1101 doesnot need to be designated. The reason is that although the timing toswitch one still picture to another is designated by the program number1104 and the display timing information 1105, the next still picture tobe displayed is determined randomly.

[0167] In the “random mode”, the audio still video object to bedisplayed next is determined completely randomly among the audio stillvideo unit. In the “shuffle mode”, the audio still video object isdetermined randomly, but the audio still video object once selected isnot selected again until all the other audio still video objects havebeen selected.

[0168] The contents in the reserved area is not specified. The reservedarea is, for example, blank.

[0169]FIG. 11C shows a data structure of the audio still video displaylist 1071 when the display timing mode is “browsable mode” and thedisplay order mode is “sequential mode”.

[0170] The data structure shown in FIG. 11C is identical with the datastructure shown in FIG. 11A except that the program number 1104 in FIG.11A is replaced with a reserved (Reserved) area in FIG. 11C and that thedisplay timing information 1105 in FIG. 11A is. replaced with a maximumdisplay duration time period (Max duration time) 1111 and a minimumdisplay duration time period (Min duration time) 1112 in FIG. C.

[0171] In the display list 1071 in FIG. 11C, neither the program number1104 nor the display timing information 1105 need to be designated. Thereason is that in the “browsable mode”, one still picture is switched toanother still picture in response to the input from the user atarbitrary timing. Thus, the viewer is allowed to change pages freely.

[0172] The maximum display duration time period 1111 is used forautomatically executing page forwarding even when there is no input fromthe user. When there is no input from the user even after the timeperiod designated by the maximum display duration time period 1111passes, the still picture is automatically switched to the next stillpicture.

[0173] The minimum display duration time 1112 is used for displaying thestill picture designated by the ASV number 1101 for at least a minimumduration. Until the time period designated by the minimum displayduration time 1112 passes, the still picture is not switched to the nextstill picture even if there is an input from the user.

[0174]FIG. 11D shows a data structure of the audio still video displaylist 1071 when the display timing mode is the “browsable mode” and thedisplay order mode is the “random mode” or the “shuffle mode”.

[0175] (4.2.3) Audio Title Set Management Information 911 (When theAudio Title Set 900 Does not Include an Audio Object 923)

[0176] Referring again to FIG. 9B, the audio title set 900 refers to thevideo objects for video title set title included in another video titleset. As a result, a video object for video title set title is reproducedinstead of the audio object. In this case, the basic structure that theaudio title set management information 911 includes the audio title setmanagement table 921 and the PGC management information table 922 ismaintained.

[0177] The audio title set management table 921 and the PGC managementinformation table 922 are different in this case from the case where theaudio title set 900 includes the audio object 923 in the followingpoints.

[0178] In the audio title set management table 921, address informationon the video title set including the video object referred to and thestorage position of the video object in the video title set aredescribed instead of the audio object storage position 931.

[0179] The PGC management information table 922 does not include theaudio title set audio still video reproduction information table. Thereason is that it is not necessary to refer to the audio still videosince the video object already includes video information.

[0180] (4.3) Audio Manager 1200

[0181]FIG. 12 shows a data structure of the audio manager 1200. Theaudio manager 1200 is information for reproduction control which thedisk reproduction apparatus first refers to for reproducing the opticaldisk 100 with priority being put on audio information.

[0182] The audio manager 1200 includes audio manager information (AMGI)1211, an audio manager menu VOB (AMGM_VOBS) 1212, and audio managerinformation backup (AMGI_BUP) 1213.

[0183] The audio manager information 1211 includes an audio managerinformation management table (AMGI_MAT) 1221 including attributeinformation and pointer information, audio title management information1222 including the number of audio titles and the like, a plurality ofaudio title search pointers (ATT_SRP) 1223 each including audio titlesearch information, and an audio manager menu PGC management informationtable (AMGM_PGCI UT) 1224 including PGC information for an audio managermenu.

[0184] The audio manager information management table 1221 includes anAMG identifier (AMG_ID) for identifying the audio manager 1200, an AMGend address (AMG_EA) which is an end address for table management, anAMGI end address (AMGI_EA), a version number (VERN), a volume setidentifier (VLMS_ID), a title set number (TS_Ns) showing the number oftitle sets included in the volume, a provider identifier (PVR_ID) foridentifying the provider which created the disk, an AMGI_MAT end address(AMGI_MAT_EA), an automatic execution flag (Auto_Play_Flag) for definingthe operation of the reproduction apparatus when the disk is inserted,and ASVS start address (ASVS_SA) for recording the position of the audiostill picture set, address information on tables for AMG and AMGI, andAMGM_VOBS attribute information including VOB attribute informationincluded in the audio manager.

[0185] Although not shown in FIG. 12, each audio title search pointertable (ATT_SRP) 1223 includes “audio title type” indicating the type ofeach title, “in-title program number” indicating the number of programsincluded in the title, “title reproduction time period” indicating thereproduction time period of the title, “audio title set number”indicating the audio title set number to which each title belongs, “ATStitle number” indicating the title number of each title in the audiotitle set, and “ATS address” indicating the address of the audio titleset to which each title belongs.

[0186]FIG. 13 schematically shows the correspondence between the ASV andATS stored in the optical disk 100.

[0187] The ATS can include a plurality of pieces of PGC information(ATS_PGCI). However, in the example shown in FIG. 13, the ATS includesone piece of PGC information (ATS_PGCI).

[0188] In the PGC information, the reproduction order of audio programsin an audio program group (Program #1, Program #2, . . . Program #L) isdescribed. Each audio program is an access unit of audio data. Eachaudio program includes a plurality of pieces of audio cell reproductioninformation (ATS_C_PBI). The audio cell reproduction information is aminimum management unit. The audio cell reproduction information pointsto an AOB including actual audio data. Thus, the audio data to bereproduced corresponding to the audio program is determined.

[0189] In the PGC information, audio still video reproductioninformation (ATS_ASV_PBI) indicating how the still picture should bereproduced is described on a program-by-program basis. A plurality ofaudio programs can share the same audio still video reproductioninformation. In the example shown in FIG. 13, Program #1 and Program #2share ATS_ASV_PBI#1. The reason for this is that the audio still videoreproduction information table (ATS_ASV_PBIT) is structured so thatATS_PG_ASV_PBI_SRP corresponding to the audio program can point to oneof the plurality of pieces of ATS_ASV_PBI.

[0190] The PGC information designates an ASVU included in the ASV inorder to display a plurality of still pictures in relation to thereproduction of the audio program.

[0191] The ASVU is also a unit used by the reproduction apparatus forbuffering still picture data. More specifically, before reproducing oneaudio program, the reproduction apparatus reads a still picture datagroup in the designated ASVU from the optical disk 100. Accordingly, thereproduction apparatus does not need to read the still picture datagroup from the optical disk 100 during the reproduction of the audioprogram (for example, music program).

[0192] Before reproducing the next audio program, the reproductionapparatus determines whether or not the still picture data group in theASVU required for the next audio program exists in a main memory of thereproduction apparatus. When the still picture data group in the ASVUrequired for the next audio program exists in the main memory of thereproduction apparatus, the reproduction apparatus does not need tonewly read the still picture data group from the optical disk 100.

[0193] When the audio title producer desires to quickly switch one audioprogram to the next audio program, the PGC information can be structuredso that an audio program and the next audio program share one ASVU. Bystructuring the PGC information in this manner, the reproductionapparatus does not need to buffer the still picture data group in theASVU required for the next audio program. As a result, the reproductionapparatus can quickly switch two audio programs reproduced continuously.

[0194] The ATS_ASV_PBI manages the order of still pictures to bedisplayed in the form of a display list (ASV_DLIST). In the display list(ASV_DLIST), the still picture in the ASVU to be displayed is designatedby the ASV number.

[0195] As described above, the PGC information allows different stillpictures to be displayed for different audio programs. The PGCinformation also allows the same still picture to be displayed for aplurality of audio programs. When one audio program is switched toanother audio program, the still pictures to be displayed can beswitched with no need for muting.

[0196]FIG. 14 schematically shows the correspondence among the audioprograms, AOBs, cells, ASVUs and ASVOBs stored on the optical disk 100.Such a correspondence is defined by the PGC information (ATS_PGCI). InFIG. 14, arrow t represents the time axis.

[0197] In the example shown in FIG. 14, one audio title includes fouraudio programs. Audio program #1 corresponds to AOB#1, audio program #2corresponds to AOB#2, and audio programs #3 and #4 correspond to AOB#3.Herein, the AOBs are recorded on the optical disk 100 in the order ofAOB#1, AOB#2 and then AOB#3.

[0198] Audio program #1 includes cells #1 and #2; audio program #2includes cells #3, #4 and #5; audio program #3 includes cells #6 and #7;and audio program #4 includes cell #8. Cells #1, #3 and #6 are silentcells, and cells #2, #4, #5, #7 and #8 are audio cells.

[0199] Audio programs #1 and #2 correspond to ASVU #1, and audioprograms #3 and #4 correspond to ASVU #2. The display of ASVOB#1 isstarted in synchronization with the reproduction start of cell #2; thedisplay of ASVOB#2 is started in synchronization with the reproductionstart of cell #4; the display of ASVOB#3 is started in synchronizationwith the reproduction start of cell #5; and the display of ASVOB#4 isstarted in synchronization with the reproduction start of cell #7; anddisplay of ASVOB#5 is started in synchronization with the reproductionstart of cell #8.

[0200]FIG. 15 shows exemplary contents of the program information 1026and contents of the audio still video reproduction information searchpointer 1028 regarding each of audio programs #1 through #4. In theexample shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that the reproduction timeperiod of each and every audio cell is 60 seconds (5,400,000 in PTS(Presentation Time Stamp)) and that the reproduction time period of eachand every silent cell is 1 second (90,000 in PTS).

[0201]FIG. 16A shows exemplary contents of the audio still videoreproduction information 1029 (ATS_ASV_PBI#1) corresponding to audioprograms #1 and #2 shown in FIG. 14.

[0202]FIG. 16B shows exemplary contents of the audio still videoreproduction information 1029 (ATS_ASV_PBI#2) corresponding to audioprograms #3 and #4 shown in FIG. 14.

[0203]FIG. 17 shows exemplary contents of the cell reproductioninformation 1027 regarding each of cells #1 through #8 shown in FIG. 14.In the example shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the audio data isencoded at a sampling rate of 48 kHz and 16 bits, and 2 ch. In thiscase, the number of packs of the silent cells is 96 and the number ofpacks of the audio cells is 5760.

[0204]FIG. 18 shows exemplary contents of ATS_PG_ASV_PBI#1 through #5.In the example shown in FIG. 18, it is assumed that the number of stillpicture packs is 50.

[0205]FIG. 19 shows exemplary contents of audio still video unit generalinformation (ASVU_GI).

[0206] The addresses 1063 and 1064 (FIG. 15) of the audio still videoreproduction information included in the audio still video reproductioninformation search pointer 1028 can be represented by, for example, arelative address using the position at which the first ASVOB is recordedas a reference address. However, so long as the position of the ASVOB onthe optical disk 100 can be specified, addresses 1063 and 1064 can beeach represented by an arbitrary address. For example, when the audiostill video unit general information (ASVU_GI) includes addressinformation usable as the reference address, the addresses 1063 and 1064can be represented by relative addresses with respect to that referenceaddress.

[0207] In the example shown in FIG. 15, the ASV reproduction mode 1062of audio programs #1 and #2 is “slide show”. In this case, the stillpicture is reproduced in synchronization with audio information. Sincethe ASVU number 1061 of audio programs #1 and #2 is “1”, ASVU#1 is readto the buffer of the reproduction apparatus before the reproduction ofaudio programs #1 and #2. Next, ATS_ASV_PBI#1 is referred to based onthe addresses 1063 and 1064 of ATS_ASV_PBI. As a result, the display ofstill pictures corresponding to display lists #1, #2 and #3 of theATS_ASV_PBI#1 shown in FIG. 16A is started at the display timingdesignated by the program number 1103 and the display timing information1105. The display timing is in synchronization with the reproductiontime of audio information to be reproduced together with the stillpictures.

[0208] In other words, the display of the still picture designated bydisplay list #1 of ATS_ASV_PBI#1 is started when PTS becomes 90,000during the reproduction of AOB#1. The display of the still picturedesignated by display list #2 of ATS_ASV_PBI#1 is started when PTSbecomes 90,000 during the reproduction of AOB#2. The display of thestill picture designated by display list #3 of ATS_ASV_PBI#1 is startedwhen PTS becomes 5,580,000 during the reproduction of AOB#2.

[0209] When the ASV reproduction mode 1062 is “slide show”, the displayof the still picture is displayed at the timing predetermined insynchronization with the audio reproduction time as described above. Thestill picture cannot be updated by the user's instruction.

[0210]FIG. 20A schematically shows the relationship between thereproduction timing of the audio program and the display timing of thestill picture when the ASV reproduction mode 1062 is “slide show”.

[0211] In the example shown in FIG. 15, the ASV reproduction mode 1062of audio programs #3 and #4 is “browsable”. In this case, the stillpicture is reproduced a synchronously with the audio information. Thedisplay of the still pictures corresponding to the display lists #1 and#2 of ATS_ASV_PBI#2 shown in FIG. 16B is updated in response to theuser's operation or command. When no user's operation is performedwithin the display duration time period designated by the maximumdisplay time period information 1111, the still picture is automaticallyswitched to the next still picture.

[0212] For reproducing audio program #3, ASVU#2 is selected based on theASVU number 1061 corresponding to audio program #3. Before thereproduction of the audio program #3, ASVU#2 is read into the buffer ofthe reproduction apparatus. Next, the ATS_ASV_PBI#2 is referred to basedon the addresses 1063 and 1064 of ATS_ASV_PBI. Since the audio programnumber 1104 of display list #1 of ATS_ASV_PBI#2 is “3”, ASVOB#4 isdisplayed based on the ASV number 1101 of display list #1.

[0213] When a button of a remote control or the like corresponding toNext_DLIST is pressed, which instructs the reproduction of the nextdisplay list, ASVOB#5 is displayed based on the ASV number 1101 ofdisplay list #2 of ATS_ASV_PBI#2. When the display is switched fromASVOB#4 to ASVOB#5, the display effects in accordance with start effectmode 1106, the end effect mode 1107, the start effect period 1108, andthe end effect period 1109 are provided.

[0214] When there is no user's operation during the display durationtime period of 5,490,000 (i.e., about 1 minute) designated by themaximum display time period information 1111 of display list #1, ASVOB#5is displayed based on the ASV number 1101 of the next display list #2.The display duration time period 5,490,000 matches the reproduction timeperiod of audio program #3.

[0215] After the reproduction of audio program #3 is completed, audioprogram #4 is reproduced. When there is a user's operation during thereproduction of audio program #3, the display of ASVOB#4 is switched tothe display of ASVOB#5 during the reproduction of audio program #3. Whenthere is no user's operation during the reproduction of audio program#3, the display of ASVOB#5 is started simultaneously with the start ofthe reproduction of audio program #4.

[0216] When the reproduction is started from audio program #4, ASVU#2 isselected based on the ASVU number 1061 corresponding to audio program#4, and ASVU#2 is read into the buffer of the reproduction apparatusbefore the audio program #4 is reproduced. Then, ATS_ASV_PBI#2 isreferred to based on the addresses 1063 and 1064 of ATS_ASV_PBI. Sincethe first display list, among the display lists included inATS_ASV_PBI#2, which has audio program number 1104 of “4” is displaylist #2, ASVOB#5 is displayed based on the ASV number 1101 of displaylist #2.

[0217] After ASVOB#5 is displayed, the display of ASVOB#5 is changed inresponse to the user's operation or command. The audio program number ofthe display list is only effective when the ASVU is changed. In thiscase, the audio program number of the display list is referred to inorder to determine the first ASVOB to be reproduced.

[0218]FIG. 20B schematically shows the relationship between thereproduction timing of the audio program and the display timing of thestill picture when the ASV reproduction mode 1062 is “browsable”.

[0219] When the value of the maximum display time period information1111 is a value representing “infiniteness”, the corresponding ASVOB iscontinuously displayed until the user's operation is performed or acommand is executed. As the value representing infiniteness, the maximumvalue (i.e., binary value in which all digits are “1”) is usable, butother values are also usable. In the case of the “browsable mode”, avalue representing “infiniteness” can always be set in the maximumdisplay time period information 1111.

[0220] As described above, AOB and ASVOB are reproduced simultaneouslyby a decoder, unlike the reproduction of VOB.

[0221] The reproduction method of VOB and the reproduction method of AOBand ASVOB are identical with each other in that video information isoutput together with the audio information. However, in the case ofASVOB, the video information is still picture information including onlyI picture.

[0222] The reproduction method of VOB and the reproduction method of AOBand ASVOB are different from each other in the following points.

[0223] A first difference is in the storage position of the data. In thecase of VOB, the audio information and the video information aremultiplexed together and recorded on the optical disk as one systemstream. In the case of AOB and ASVOB, the audio information and thevideo information are recorded in different areas of the optical disk asdifferent system streams.

[0224] A second difference is in the synchronization method of the audioinformation and the still picture information. VOBs are processed forreproduction by a decoder one by one. An STC, which is a referenceclock, is reset by an SCR (System Clock Reference) in the “pack header”in the first pack of the system stream. The decoder refers to the STC tooutput the audio information and the still picture information at theoutput timing represented by the PTS in the “packet header” in eachpack.

[0225] AOBs and ASVOBs are processed for reproduction simultaneously bya decoder. A plurality of ASVOBs to be reproduced in synchronizationwith an AOB are read from the optical disk and input to the decoderbefore the AOB. The ASVOBs input to the decoder are not displayedimmediately, unlike the VOB. The ASVOBs are decoded in accordance withthe MPEG decode model. More specifically, the STC, which is thereference clock, is reset by the SCR in the first pack of each ASVOB.The ASVOB is decoded in accordance with the PTS in the packet. It can beconsidered that the post-decoding data of the plurality of ASVOBs to bereproduced in synchronization with the AOB is accumulated in thedecoder, but actually, pre-decoding ASVOB data is accumulated in anappropriate buffer in the decoder.

[0226] When the ASVOB is completely input to the decoder, the AOB isread from the optical disk and input to the decoder. When the AOB isinput to the decoder, the STC as the reference clock is reset by the SCRin the first pack of the AOB in a similar manner to the case of the VOB.The decoder refers to the STC to output the AOB at the output timingrepresented by the PTS in each pack header.

[0227] The information indicating the output timing of the ASVOB isstored in the display list, which is included in the PGC information.The area of the optical disk storing the information indicating theoutput timing of the ASVOB is different from the area of the opticaldisk storing the ASVOB. The information indicating the output timing ofthe ASVOB is supplied to the decoder separately from the ASVOB. EachASVOB in the decoder is not output in synchronization with the STC, butis output in accordance with the information indicating the outputtiming of the ASVOB stored in the display list.

[0228] Thus, the output timing of the AOB is determined by the PTSaccompanying the AOB itself, whereas the output timing of the ASVOB isdetermined by the information in the display list which is stored in adifferent area from the area storing the ASVOB.

[0229] Hereinafter, a reproduction apparatus for reproducing theinformation stored on the optical disk 100 will be described.

[0230]FIG. 21 shows an external view of a DVD player 1 as an exemplaryreproduction apparatus for reproducing information stored in the opticaldisk (DVD) 100, and a large-screen household TV monitor 2 and a remotercontrol 91 which are connected to the DVD player 1.

[0231] The DVD player 1 has an opening on a front surface of a chassisthereof. A driving mechanism (not shown) for loading the DVD 100 isprovided in the DVD player 1 along a depth direction of the opening.

[0232] On the front surface of the DVD player 1, a remote controlreceiving section 92 having a light receiving element for receivinginfrared rays from the remote control 91 is provided. When the useroperates a button of the remote control 91, the infrared rays inaccordance with the input from the user are emitted from the remotecontrol 91. In response to the infrared rays received, the remotecontrol receiving section 92 generates an interrupt signal whichindicates that a signal is received from the remote control 91.

[0233] On a rear surface of the DVD player 1, a video output terminaland an audio output terminal (neither is shown) are provided. Byconnecting AV cords to the output terminals, a video signal reproducedfrom the DVD 100 can be output to the TV monitor 2. Thus, the user canenjoy the video reproduced from the DVD 100 through the large-screenhousehold TV monitor 2 having a size of 33 inches or 35 inches.

[0234] As can be appreciated from the above, the DVD player 1 is notconnected to a computer such as a personal computer for use but isconnected to a household TV monitor such as the TV monitor 2 for use asa household electric appliance.

[0235] On the surface of the remote control 91, a plurality of buttonsloaded by springs are provided. The remote control 91 outputs a codecorresponding to the pressed button in the form of infrared rays.

[0236]FIG. 22 shows an exemplary operational panel 91 a of the remotecontrol 91. Various buttons are provided on the operational panel 91 a.

[0237] A “power” button 192 is used for turning on or off the DVD player1.

[0238] A “menu” button 194 is used for retrieving a title menu in theDVD 100 while video information or audio information in the DVD 100 isreproduced in accordance with the program chain. The “menu” button 194is also used for retrieving a specified video stream (for example,branching menu) while a specified audio program included in the selectedtitle is reproduced.

[0239] Numerical buttons (ten keys) 197 are used for instructing the DVDplayer 1 to perform chapter jump in the case of a movie, selection of atune in the case of music, or the like.

[0240] Cursor buttons 198 are used for moving the cursor upward,downward, rightward and leftward to select an item.

[0241] An “enter” button 196 is used for finalizing the item selected bythe cursor. When the cursor is positioned on the item, the item isdisplayed with a selection color defined by item color information in amanagement information pack. When the selection of the item is finalizedby pressing the “enter” button 196, the item is displayed with afinalization color defined by item color information in the managementinformation pack.

[0242] Buttons 199 are used for instructing the DVD player 1 to performoperations such as “reproduction”, “stop”, “pause”, “fast forward”,“rewinding” and the like. The buttons 199 are common with other AVapparatuses.

[0243]FIG. 23 shows a structure of a DVD player 1 in an exampleaccording to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23, the DVD player1 includes a drive mechanism section 81, an optical pickup 82, amechanism control section 83, a signal processing section 84, an AVdecoder section 85, the remote control receiving section 92, and asystem control section 93.

[0244] The drive mechanism section 81 includes a table (not shown) onwhich the DVD 100 is set, and a motor (not shown) for clamping androtating the DVD 100 set on the table. The motor is, for example, aspindle motor. The table on which the DVD 100 is to be set moves inwardand outward the chassis by an eject mechanism section (not shown). Theuser sets the DVD 100 on the table where the table is outside thechassis. Then, the table having the DVD 100 thereon is moved inside thechassis. Thus, the DVD 100 is loaded on the DVD player 1.

[0245] The mechanism control section 83 controls a mechanism systemincluding the drive mechanism section 81 for driving the DVD 100 and theoptical pickup 82 for reading a signal stored on the DVD 100.Specifically, the mechanism control section 83 adjusts the speed of themotor in accordance with the position of the track indicated by thesystem control section 93. The mechanism control section 83 alsocontrols the movement of the optical pickup 82 by controlling anactuator (not shown) of the optical pickup 82. When the accurateposition of the track is detected by servo control, the mechanismcontrol section 83 waits for a desired physical sector and thencontinuously reads signals from the desired physical sector.

[0246] The signal processing section 84 processes the signal read by theoptical pickup 82 with amplification, waveform rectification,binarization, demodulation, error detection, and other processing. Thesignal read by the optical pickup 82 is converted into digital data andstored in a buffer memory 93 a of the system control section 93 on alogical block-by-logical block unit.

[0247] The system control section 93 includes a CPU 93b. Reproductionprocessing performed by the reproduction apparatus (for example, PGCreproduction control processing, program reproduction controlprocessing, and the like) can be stored on a recording medium in theform of a program. Such a recording medium can be a floppy disk or aCD-ROM. The program stored on the recording medium is installed in thesystem control section 93 via, for example, a floppy disk drive (notshown). The CPU 93 b executes the program installed in the systemcontrol section 93 from the recording medium. Thus, the system controlsection 93 can execute reproduction processing corresponding to theinstalled program.

[0248] The AV decoder section 85 includes an ASVOB system decodersection 103, an AOB system decoder section 104, and a VOB system decodersection 88. The AV decoder section 85 is structured so as to operatethese three system decoders 103, 104 and 88 to operate synchronously orasynchronously with one another. To the ASVOB system decoder section103, an ASVOB including still picture data is input. To the AOB systemdecoder section 104, an AOB including audio data is input. To the VOBsystem decoder section 88, a VOB for video title set menu includingaudio data and video data in a multiplexed state and the like are input.

[0249] The ASVOB system decoder section 103 receives an ASVOB stream anddistinguishes a stream ID and a sub stream ID in the header of eachpacket included in the ASVOB stream from each other to divide the ASVOBstream into a video packet, a PCI (highlight) packet, and a sub videopacket.

[0250] The AOB system decoder section 104 receives an AOB stream anddivides the data based on the packet header included in the AOB stream.

[0251] The VOB system decoder section 88 receives a VOB stream anddistinguishes a stream ID and a sub stream ID in the header of eachpacket included in the VOB stream from each other to divide the VOBstream into an audio packet, a video packet, a PCI (highlight) packet,and a sub video packet.

[0252] The AV decoder section 85 includes a highlight buffer 94, a videobuffer 96, a sub video buffer 105, an audio buffer 99, a highlightdecoder 95, a video decoder 87, a sub video decoder 98, an audio decoder100, a synchronization adjustment section 102, and a video mixingsection 101.

[0253] The highlight information output from the PCI (highlight) packetsof the ASVOB system decoder section 103 and the VOB system decodersection 88 is temporarily stored in the highlight buffer 94.

[0254] The video packets output from the ASVOB system decoder section103 and the VOB system decoder section 88 are temporarily stored in thevideo buffer 96.

[0255] The sub video packets output from the ASVOB system decodersection 103 and the VOB system decoder section 88 are temporarily storedin the sub video buffer 105.

[0256] The audio packets output from the AOB system decoder section 104and the VOB system decoder section 88 are temporarily stored in theaudio buffer 99.

[0257] The highlight decoder 95 decodes the highlight information fromthe PCI (highlight) packets which is stored in the highlight buffer 94.The decoded highlight information is output to the system controlsection 93.

[0258] The video decoder 87 decodes the video data stored in the videobuffer 96.

[0259] The sub video decoder 98 decodes the sub video data stored in thesub video buffer 105.

[0260] The audio decoder 100 decodes the audio data stored in the audiobuffer 99. The output from the audio decoder 100 (decoding result) isoutput as an audio output.

[0261] The video mixing section 101 mixes the output from the videodecoder 87 (decoding result) and the output from the sub video decoder98 (decoding result) to generate one piece of video data. The outputfrom the video mixing section 101 is output as a video output.

[0262] The synchronization adjustment section 102 manages thesynchronization of operations of the highlight decoder 95, the videodecoder 87, the sub video decoder 98 and the audio decoder 100.

[0263] Before starting the reproduction, the system control section 93determines whether the reproduction mode is video-oriented or not. Whenthe reproduction mode is determined to be video-oriented, the videomanager is read based on the information read from the volume filemanagement area.

[0264] The system control section 93 refers to the PGC managementinformation table for the menu of the video manager to calculate arecording address of the program chain for the volume menu. The systemcontrol section 93 reproduces and holds inside the recording address.When the recording address of the program chain for the volume menu isheld inside, the system control section 93 refers to the held PGCinformation to calculate the video object (VOB) to be reproduced and therecording address thereof on the optical disk 100. When the video objectto be reproduced is determined, the system control section 93 outputs acontrol signal to the mechanism control section 83 and the signalprocessing section 84 to retrieve the determined video object from theoptical disk 100 and reproduces the video object in the followingmanner.

[0265] The VOB is input to the AV decoder section 85. A decode streaminstruction “VOB reproduction” is given to the AV decoder section 85from the system control section 93.

[0266] The VOB stream input to the AV decoder section 85 is divided intovarious packs included in the VOB stream by the VOB system decodersection 88. Audio, video, sub video, and highlight information packs arerespectively input to the audio buffer 99, the video buffer 96, the subvideo buffer 105, and the highlight buffer 94. The highlight buffer 94buffers only the highlight information in the PCI (highlight) packet inthe highlight information pack.

[0267] The data input to each buffer is input to the audio decoder 100,the video decoder 87, the sub video decoder 98, and the highlightdecoder 95 for decoding.

[0268] The audio information for the menu is output from the audiodecoder 100. The output from the video decoder 87 and the output fromthe sub video decoder 98 are mixed together by the video mixing section101. The mixing result is output as a video output. The output from thehighlight decoder 95 is read into the system control section 93. As aresult, the button information or the like of each menu is stored in thememory in the system control section 93.

[0269] In this manner, a video menu for allowing the user to select oneof a plurality of titles is displayed.

[0270]FIG. 24 shows an exemplary menu.

[0271] The user views the video menu shown in FIG. 24, and selects andfinalizes one of a plurality of items in the video menu. For example,the user selects and finalizes the item in which he/she is interested.

[0272] It is assumed that the user designates a menu item numbercorresponding to either one of “title 1”, “title 2” or “title 3” shownin FIG. 24 using the remote control 91. The system control section 93receiving the designation of the menu item number from the remotecontrol 91 refers to the button information of the highlight informationin the PCI (highlight) pack included in the VOB of the video menu whichis being reproduced to execute the control command corresponding to thedesignated number. The button information is pre-stored in the memory.The control command is, for example, “PlayTitle #n”, wherein, “n”represents the title number to be reproduced.

[0273] For executing the command “PlayTitle #n”, the system controlsection 93 refers to a title search pointer table, which is a part ofthe audio manager, to determine the audio title set (ATS) and the titlenumber in the ATS.

[0274] When the audio title set is selected, the system control section93 outputs a control signal to the mechanism control section 83 and thesignal processing section 84 to reproduce the audio title set managementinformation of the selected audio title set, sequentially reads theaudio title set PGC information search pointers, which are a part of theaudio title set management information, and determines the PGCinformation of the program chain for starting the reproduction of thetitle to be reproduced.

[0275] When the PGC information is determined, the system controlsection 93 outputs a control signal to the mechanism control section 83and the signal processing section 84 to reproduce the determined PGCinformation and hold the PGC information in the inside buffer for PGCinformation.

[0276] When the PGC information for starting the reproduction of thetitle is held, the system control section 93 refers to the held PGCinformation to obtain the ASVU number of the first audio programinformation. The system control section 93 refers to the audio stillvideo unit general information (ASVU_GI) corresponding to the ASVUnumber to read the ASVOB corresponding to the first audio program of thePGC information from the optical disk and input the audio still videounit general information to the AV decoder section 85. A decode streaminstruction “ASVOB reproduction” is given to the AV decoder section 85from the system control section 93. The AV decoder section 85 dividesthe ASVOB into packs and packets by the ASVOB system decoder section 103and stores the packs and packets in the corresponding buffers.

[0277] The size of the video buffer 96 needs to be equal to or greaterthan the maximum value of the sum of the sizes of the ASVOBs in theASVU. In order to guarantee that the optical disk 100 is reproducible byany player, all the reproduction apparatuses are required to include avideo buffer 96 of a certain capacity or greater. The certain capacityis the maximum value of the total data amount of the ASVOBs included inthe ASVU. In this example, the maximum value is 2 Mbytes. One I pictureis 100 kbytes to 200 kbytes, and thus the 10 to 20 I pictures can bereproduced together with the audio information.

[0278] When all the ASVOBs included in the ASVU are completely input tothe ASVOB system decoder section 103, neither the highlight decoder 95,nor the video decoder 87, nor the sub video decoder 98 performsdecoding. When all the ASVOBs are stored in the corresponding buffers,the audio object to be reproduced and the recording address thereof aredetermined by the audio title set program information table and audiotitle set cell reproduction information table. The AOB determined inthis manner is reproduced by a control signal output to the mechanismcontrol section 83 and the signal processing section 84.

[0279] The AOB read from the optical disk 100 is input to the AV decodersection 85. A decode stream instruction “AOB reproduction” is given tothe AV decoding section 85 from the system control section 93. The AOBis made into an audio stream by the AOB system decoder section 104. Theaudio stream is input to the audio decoder 100 through the audio buffer99. Thus, the audio data is prepared to be output. When the audio datais prepared to be output, the STC (reference clock) in thesynchronization adjustment section 102 is reset by the SCR in the firstpack of the AOB. The audio data of the AOB is output at the timing ofthe PTS stored in the packet header. When the output of the AOB isstarted, the first I picture of the ASVOB, and the highlight informationand the sub picture information for the menu item which is to bedisplayed in an overlapping state with the I picture are decoded andoutput at the instruction of the synchronization adjustment section 102.It is not guaranteed that the PTS is described in all the packets of theAOB, but the audio decoder 100 outputs the audio data whilesupplementing the PTS.

[0280] The system control section 93 hold the still picture reproductioninformation of the PGC information. The still picture reproductioninformation includes the display timing of the still picture. The systemcontrol section 93 outputs the display control information of the stillpicture information to the synchronization adjustment section 102 of theAV decoder section 85 in accordance with the display timing of the stillpicture reproduction information. The display control informationincludes a wait period until the I picture of the ASVOB to be updated isdesignated and the update thereof is displayed. The synchronizationadjustment section 102 instructs the video decoder 87 to output thedesignated I picture at the designated timing in accordance with theinput display control information.

[0281] In other words, the ASVOB is output in accordance with thedisplay timing information stored in an area which is different from thearea storing the ASVOB, unlike the case of the AOB or VOB.

[0282] In this manner, before the audio data is reproduced, the ASVUdata corresponding to the audio data is all stored in the correspondingbuffers. Therefore, the highlight buffer 94, the video buffer 96, andthe sub video buffer 105 need to have a capacity larger than that of thebuffer defined in the MPEG2 or DVD-Video Standard.

[0283]FIG. 25 is a flowchart of an exemplary operation of the DVD player1 when the “menu” button 194 of the remote control 91 is pressed.

[0284] When the user presses the “menu” button 194 of the remote control91, the remote receiving section 92 receives a signal indicating thatthe “menu” button 194 has been pressed (step S2501).

[0285] The system control section 93 determines whether or not thereexists a specified video stream existence flag having value “1” amongthe specified video stream existence flags corresponding to the program(PG) which is currently reproduced in the held PGC information (i.e.,whether the specified video stream exists or not) (step S2502).

[0286] When it is determined that all the specified video streamexistence flags are “0” in step S2503, the AMG menu reproductionprocessing (FIG. 27) is retrieved (step S2504).

[0287] When it is determined that there exists a specified video streamexistence flag having value “1” among the specified video streamexistence flags in step S2503, the specified video stream reproductionprocessing (FIG. 26) is retrieved (step S2505).

[0288]FIG. 26 is a flowchart of specified video stream reproductionprocessing. The specified video stream reproduction processing indicatesreproduction of a specified still picture among a plurality of stillpictures corresponding to the audio program. The specified still pictureis, for example, used as a menu for allowing the user to select one ofthe plurality of still picture groups.

[0289] The system control section 93 sends display control informationwhich instructs the display of the ASVOB for the specified video streamfrom the held PGC information to the synchronization adjustment section102 (step S2601). The ASVOB for the specified video stream is, forexample, the final ASVOB in the ASVU.

[0290] The synchronization adjustment section 102 instructs the videodecoder 87 to display the I picture designated by the display controlinformation (step S2602)

[0291] The video decoder 87 outputs the I picture used for the menuamong the I pictures held in the video buffer 96 to the video mixingsection 101 (step S2603).

[0292] The synchronization adjustment section 102 instructs the subvideo decoder 98 to display the sub video designated by the displaycontrol information (step S2604).

[0293] The sub video decoder 98 outputs the sub video used for the menuamong the sub videos held in the sub video buffer 105 to the videomixing section 101 (step S2605).

[0294] The video mixing section 101 mixes the I picture used for themenu which is output from the video decoder 87 and the sub video usedfor the menu which is output from the sub video decoder 98 and outputsthe mixing result (step S2607).

[0295] An image in which the I picture for the menu and the sub videofor the menu are superimposed is output to the video output (stepS2608). The image is displayed on, for example, the TV monitor 2connected to the DVD player 1. The user can watch the image displayed onthe TV monitor 2.

[0296]FIG. 27 is a flowchart of AMG menu reproduction processing. TheAMG menu reproduction processing indicates reproduction of the AMG menu,which is a video menu for allowing the user to select the title to bereproduced among a plurality of titles shown in FIG. 24.

[0297] The system control section 93 reads an audio manager based on theinformation read from the volume file management area (step S2701).

[0298] The system control section 93 refers to the PGC managementinformation table for the menu of the audio manager to calculate therecording address of the program chain of the volume menu, and reproduceand hold inside the recording address (step S2702).

[0299] When the recording address of the program chain of the volumemenu is held inside, the system control section 93 refers to the heldPGC information to calculate the video object (VOB) to be reproduced andthe recording address thereof on the optical disk 100 (step S2703).

[0300] When the video object to be reproduced is determined, the systemcontrol section 93 outputs a control signal to the mechanism controlsection 83 and the signal processing section 84 to read the determinedvideo object (VOB) from the optical disk 100 and reproduce the videoobject (step S2704).

[0301] The VOB system stream is input to the AV decoder section 85.Simultaneously, a decode stream instruction “VOB reproduction” is givento the AV decoder section 85 from the system control section 93 (stepS2705).

[0302] The VOB stream input to the AV decoder section 85 is divided intovarious packs (i.e., audio, video, sub video, and highlight informationpacks) included in the VOB stream by the VOB system decoder section 88(step S2706).

[0303] The packs are respectively input to the audio buffer 99, thevideo buffer 96, the sub video buffer 105, and the highlight buffer 94(step S2707). The highlight buffer 94 buffers only the highlightinformation in the PCI (highlight) packet in the highlight informationpack.

[0304] The data input to each buffer is input to the audio decoder 100,the video decoder 87, the sub video decoder 98, and the highlightdecoder 95 for decoding (step S2708).

[0305] The audio information for the menu is output from the audiodecoder 100. The output from the video decoder 87 and the output fromthe sub video decoder 98 are mixed together by the video mixing section101 and output (step S2709).

[0306] The output from the highlight decoder 95 is read into the systemcontrol section 93. As a result, the button information or the like ofeach menu is stored in the memory in the system control section 93. Inthis manner, the AMG menu shown in FIG. 24 is displayed.

[0307]FIG. 28 shows an image of a title which can be created by thespecified video stream reproduction processing described with referenceto FIG. 26.

[0308] In FIG. 28, reference numerals 2801 through 2810 represent stillpictures reproduced with high quality audio information. The dottedarrows represent the order of display of the still pictures.

[0309]FIG. 28 shows a still picture group 2820 labeled “Pictures”, astill picture group 2830 labeled “Biography”, and a still picture group2840 labeled “Credits”. Herein, the term “still picture group” refers toa plurality of one or more still pictures which are grouped together.

[0310] The still picture group 2820 includes still pictures 2803 through2806 which are photos of players of tunes and pictures related to thetune. The still picture group 2830 includes still pictures 2807 and 2808representing summary of the career and list of works of the players ofthe tunes as texts and photos. The still picture group 2840 includesstill pictures 2809 and 2810 representing the players, recordingengineers, producers and the like of the tunes mainly as texts.

[0311] The still picture 2802 labeled “Menu” is used for selecting oneof the plurality of still picture groups. On the still picture 2802, a“Pictures” button 2851 and a “Biography” button 2852, and a “Credits”button 2853 are displayed.

[0312] The still pictures 2801 through 2810 shown in FIG. 28 arereproduced in the order described in the reproduction controlinformation which is stored on the optical disk 100. However, the stillpicture 2802 is structured so as to be displayed after switching fromanother arbitrary still picture in response to the input from the user.For example, when the user presses the “Menu” button 194 on the remotecontrol 91 while the still picture group 2820 labeled “Pictures” arereproduced, the still picture which is being reproduced is switched tothe still picture 2802 without any interruption in sound reproduced. Asa result, the any one of the still picture groups 2820, 2830 and 2840can be selected.

[0313] When the “Pictures” button 2851 is selected while the stillpicture 2802 is displayed, the still picture 2802 is switched to a stillpicture in the still picture group 2820 (for example, the still picture2803) without any interruption in sound reproduced. When the “Biography”button 2852 or the “Credits” button 2853 is selected while the stillpicture 2802 is displayed, the still picture 2802 is switched to anotherstill picture in a similar manner.

[0314] For displaying the still picture 2802, the above-mentioned ASVOBfor the specified video stream is used.

[0315] In FIG. 28, reference numeral 2860 represents flag informationindicating the specified still picture acting as a menu among theplurality of still pictures 2801 through 2810. The flag information 2860includes a plurality of specified video stream existence flags 2871through 2880 respectively corresponding to the plurality of stillpictures 2801 through 2810. Each of the plurality of specified videostream existence flags 2871 through 2880 can be included in, forexample, the display list 1071 as the specified video stream existenceflag 1102 shown in FIGS. 11A through 11D.

[0316] In the example shown in FIG. 28, the still picture 2802 is thespecified still picture acting as the menu. Accordingly, the value ofthe specified video stream existence flag 2872 corresponding to thestill picture 2802 is set to “1”. The value of the specified videostream existence flags 2871 and 2873 through 2880 corresponding to allthe other still pictures 2801 and 2803 through 2810 is set to “0”. Whenthe “Menu” button 194 on the remote control 91 is pressed, the stillpicture 2802 corresponding to the specified video stream existence flag2872 having the value “1” is displayed regardless of which other stillpicture is being reproduced.

[0317] The value of “0” of all the specified video stream existenceflags 2871 through 2880 included in the flag information 2860 indicatesthat the plurality of still pictures 2801 through 2810 do not includeany specified still picture acting as the menu.

[0318] The flag information 2860 can be defined for each of a pluralityof audio programs (for examples, a plurality of tunes) included in theaudio title set.

[0319] By using the flag information 2860 defined for each of theplurality of audio programs (for examples, a plurality of tunes)included in the audio title set, different specified still pictures (forexample, menus) for different audio programs (for examples, differenttunes) can be retrieved by a common button (for example, the “menu”button 194 of the remote control 91).

[0320] The present invention is not limited to the above-describedexample.

[0321] In the above example, the specified video stream existence flag1102 is stored in the audio still video reproduction information(ATS_ASV_PBI) 1029 as shown in FIGS. 11A through 11D. However, thestorage position of the specified video stream existence flag 1102 isnot limited to this. The specified video stream existence flag 1102 canbe stored in other positions on the optical disk 100. Alternatively,additional information can be added to the specified video streamexistence flag 1102 and stored. In this manner, high speed reproductionis realized.

[0322] For example, the area in each of FIGS. 11A and 11B (“slide showmode”) which stores the program number 1104 is replaced with a reservedarea in each, of FIGS. 11C and 11D (“browsable mode”). In the case wherethe existence of the specified video stream existence flag 1102 ispermitted only in the “browsable mode”, the number of the audio stillvideo display list (ASV_DLIST) 1071 referring to the specified videostream for the menu can be recorded in the reserved area. Specifically,when the number is “0”, it is understood that there is no specifiedvideo stream for the menu; and when the number is not “0”, it isunderstood that the number is the number of the ASV_DLIST, which is tobe referred to.

[0323] Referring to FIG. 10, bit 7 of the audio still video reproductionmode (ASV-DMOD) 1062 in the audio still video reproduction informationsearch pointer (ATS_PG_ASV_PBI_SRP) 1028 in the audio title set audiostill video reproduction information table (ATS_ASV_PBIT) 1014 may be areserved area. In such a case, a flag indicating whether or not thespecified video stream for the menu exists in this program (PG) can berecorded in bit 7 of the ASV reproduction mode 1062. In this case, it iseasier to confirm that there is no specified video stream for the menuin the program (PG) than in the case of recording the specified videostream existence flag 1102 in the audio still video display list(ASV_DLIST) 1071 shown in FIGS. 11A through 11D. The reason is that whenthe flag is recorded in bit 7 of the ASV reproduction mode 1062, it ispossible to confirm that there is no specified video stream for the menuin the program (PG) merely by checking bit 7 of the ASV reproductionmode 1062 instead of checking all the specified video stream existenceflags 1102 in the display list 1071.

[0324] Referring to FIG. 10, bit 7 and bit 6 of the audio still videoreproduction mode (ASV_DMOD) 1062 in the audio still video reproductioninformation search pointer (ATS_PG_ASV_PBI SRP) 1028 in the audio titleset audio still video reproduction information table (ATS_ASV_PBIT) 1014may be reserved areas. In such case, a specified video stream existenceflag can be recorded in each of bit 7 and bit 6. When bit 7 of the ASVreproduction mode 1062 is 1, it is understood that the ASVOB reproducedin the first audio still video display list (ASV DLIST) 1071 in theaudio still video reproduction information (ATS_ASV_PBI) 1029 designatedby the audio still video reproduction information search pointer 1028 isthe specified video stream used as the menu. When bit 6 of the ASVreproduction mode 1062 is 1, it is understood that the ASVOB reproducedin the final audio still video display list (ASV_DLIST) 1071 in theaudio still video reproduction information (ATS_ASV_PBI) 1029 designatedby the audio still video reproduction information search pointer 1028 isthe specified video stream used as the menu. By this method, thereproduction apparatus can always determine whether or not there is aspecified video stream used as the menu, by referring to the specifiedposition.

[0325] Referring to FIG. 10, bits 7 through 4 of the audio still videoreproduction mode (ASV_DMOD) 1062 in the audio still video reproductioninformation search pointer (ATS_PG_ASV_PBI_SRP) 1028 in the audio titleset audio still video reproduction information table (ATS_ASV_PBIT) 1014may be reserved areas. In such a case, the number of the audio stillvideo display list (ASV_DLIST) 1071 referring the specified video streamcan be recorded in bits 7 through 4 of the ASV reproduction mode.Specifically, when the number is “0”, it is understood that there is nospecified video stream for the menu; and when the number is a valueother than “0” (1 through 15), it is understood that the number is thenumber of the ASV_DLIST to be referred to. By this method, thereproduction apparatus can determine whether or not there is a specifiedvideo stream and specify the position of the specified video stream, byreferring to the audio still video reproduction information searchpointer 1028. As a result, the search performed by the reproductionapparatus becomes easier.

[0326] Referring to FIG. 10, the 5th byte of audio title set programinformation (ATS_PG) 1026 in the audio title set program informationtable (ATS_PG_IT) 1012 may be a reserved area. In such a case, thenumber of the audio still video display list (ASV_DLIST) 1071 referringthe specified video stream can be recorded in the 5th byte of the audiotitle set program information (ATS_PG) 1026. Specifically, when thenumber is “0”, it is understood that there is no specified video streamfor the menu; and when the number is a value other than “0” (1 through255), it is understood that the number is the number of the ASV_DLIST tobe referred to. By this method, the reproduction apparatus can determinewhether or not there is a specified video stream and specify theposition of the specified video stream, by referring to the audio titleset program information 1026. As a result, the search performed by thereproduction apparatus becomes easier.

[0327] Referring to FIG. 8, bits 55 through 50 of the audio still videounit general information (ASVU_GI) in the audio still video unitmanagement information (ASVUI) 811 may be a reserved area. In such acase, the number of the audio still video display list (ASV_DLIST) 1071referring the specified video stream can be recorded in bits 55 through50 of the audio still video unit general information. Specifically, whenthe number is “0”, it is understood that there is no specified videostream for, the menu; and when the number is a value other than “0” (1through 63), it is understood that the number is the number of theASV_DLIST to be referred to.

[0328] In the above-described example, when the “menu” button 194 of theremote control 91 is pressed, the AMG menu is displayed where thespecified video stream flag is 0, and the ASVOB for the specified videostream for the menu where the specified video stream flag is 1.Alternatively, the display of the AMG menu and the ASVOB for thespecified video stream for the menu can be assigned to differentbuttons. For example, it can be structured so that when the “Title”button of the remote control 91 is pressed, the AMG menu is reproduced;and when the “menu” button is pressed, the ASVOB for the specified videostream for the menu is reproduced.

[0329] As described above, according to the optical disk, reproductionapparatus and reproduction method of the present invention, differentspecified still pictures (for examples, menus) can be retrieved fordifferent audio programs (for example, different tunes) included in oneaudio title, by operating a common button.

[0330] The specified still picture can be displayed with no interruptionin the sound.

[0331] Since different specified sill pictures (for examples, menus) canbe displayed for different audio programs (for example, differenttunes), an optimum menu can be displayed for each of the plurality ofaudio programs.

[0332] Various other modifications will be apparent to and can bereadily made by those skilled in the art without departing from thescope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is not intended thatthe scope of the claims appended hereto be limited to the description asset forth herein, but rather that the claims be broadly construed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk, comprising: an audio datastorage area for storing audio data; a still picture data storage areafor storing a plurality of pieces of still picture data; and amanagement area for storing reproduction control information forcontrolling reproduction of the audio data and the plurality of piecesof still picture data, wherein the reproduction control information hasflag information representing specified still picture data among theplurality of pieces of still picture data.
 2. An optical disk accordingto claim 1, wherein the flag information represents that the specifiedstill picture data is not included in the plurality of pieces of stillpicture data.
 3. A reproduction apparatus for reproducing informationstored on the optical disk according to claim 1, the reproductionapparatus comprising: a reading section for reading the audio data andthe plurality of pieces of still picture data from the optical disk: anda reproduction control section for controlling reproduction of the audiodata and the plurality of pieces of still picture data in accordancewith the reproduction control information, wherein the reproductioncontrol section specifies the specified still picture data among theplurality of pieces of still picture data in accordance with the flaginformation.
 4. A reproduction apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe flag information represents that the specified still picture data isnot included in the plurality of pieces of still picture data.
 5. Areproduction method for reproducing information stored on the opticaldisk according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: readingthe audio data and the plurality of pieces of still picture data fromthe optical disk; and controlling reproduction of the audio data and theplurality of pieces of still picture data in accordance with thereproduction control information, wherein the step of controllingincludes the step of specifying the specified still picture data amongthe plurality of pieces of still picture data in accordance with theflag information.
 6. A reproduction method according to claim 5, whereinthe flag information represents that the specified still picture data isnot included in the plurality of pieces of still picture data.
 7. Arecording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing areproduction apparatus to carry out a reproduction method forreproducing information stored on the optical disk according to claim 1,wherein the reproduction method includes the steps of: reading the audiodata and the plurality of pieces of still picture data from the opticaldisk; and controlling reproduction of the audio data and the pluralityof pieces of still picture data in accordance with the reproductioncontrol information, wherein the step of controlling includes the stepof specifying the specified still picture data among the plurality ofpieces of still picture data in accordance with the flag information. 8.A recording medium according to claim 7, wherein the flag informationrepresents that the specified still picture data is not included in theplurality of pieces of still picture data.